60 | SPORT Jeptoo dope hearing begi manager test Also appearing before AK in Nairobi were runner’s coach Berardelli and estranged husband BY AYUMBA AYODI @ayumbayodi sayodi@ke.nationmedia.com D isgraced Kenyan runner Rita Jeptoo yesterday appeared before the Athletics Kenya Doping Commission in Nairobi for her drug cheating hearing case. Also appearing before the commis- sion was Jeptoo’s manager Federico Rosa and coach Claudio Berardelli, both of whom have distanced themselves from the drug cheating scandal. Her estranged husband Noah Busienei — who has implicated Jeptoo in doping offences dating back to 2011 — also testified. Jeptoo appe commission th before the rest o persons were c the commission. Rosa, who promised to rev behind Jeptoo’s he had told the everything he kno “It is up to close all that Rosa said. Face two-year b “This (Jeptoo’s affected me a know what I am am at peace with God who can judg Berardelli after before the AK bo mission was exp the ban duration after all testim been heard. She of at least two y Jeptoo was This (Jeptoo’s doping) has affected me as a coach. I know what I am doing and I am at peace with myself. It is God who can judge me” Claudio Berardelli, Rita Jeptoo’s coach using the banned ing hormone out-of-competi last year and could recent titles. She been denied th for winning t Marathon Major She kept he ground and m ment to repo entered Riadha House Additional reporting by AFP Fireworks expected at KDF cross country championships BY AYUMBA AYODI sayodi@ke.nationmedia.com Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) pa- rades the best from their artillery as they select their squad for the Athletics Kenya National Cross Country Championships this morning at Kahawa Garrison. Leonard Oloitiptip and Hellen Obiri (left), all from Laikipia Air Base, are under pressure as they defend their men’s 12km and women’s 8km titles RUGBY France coach Philippe Saint-Andre called up Fijian wing Noa Nakaitaci yesterday in an extended group to begin preparations for the Six Nations, which starts next month. ASIAN CUP 1-0 SOYA AWARDS Sardar Azmoun’s fabulous solo goal that earned Iran victory over Qatar and a place in the quarters yesterday. Kenya’s best in sports to be named today Glamour and style should stake centre stage when Kenya’s finest sportsmen and women for the year 2014 are unveiled at the Sports Personality of the Year (Soya) Gala this evening in Nairobi. Among the favourites to clinch the coveted trophy are Caleb Mwangangi (right), who had a stellar 2014 where he won five major titles, marathon world record Dennis Kimetto and Julius Yego, the first Kenyan to win a major field event title. against strong fields of experienced and upcoming runners. There were moments of anxiety yesterday with information that Obiri could miss her defence after sustaining an injury in training. Title on the line However, KDF officials Major John Koech indicated that Obiri will put her title on the line today. “It’s widely known for athletes to go into race with injuries and I am sure Obiri will brave it for the gun off moments,” said Koech adding that the only case they know about is of the 2010 World Cross Country champion Joseph Ebuya, who is out with personal commitments. The 15km road race will start the events at 7am followed by women’s 8km at 10am and men’s 12km at 10.45am. Obiri, 25, will once again come face- to-face with Gladys Cherono, who is back from injury. MOTOR RALLYING Al-Attiyah closes in on Dakar win Nasser Al-Attiyah of Qatar won his fourth stage in the Dakar Rally in Argentina on Wednesday, the ninth win in 10 days for Mini, as he closed in on a second title. In the motorcycle division, Joan Barreda of Spain rode his Honda to a third stage win, with defending champion Marc Coma extending his overall lead to nearly eight minutes with three days to go. DAILY NATION Friday January 16, 2015 AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS Hosts Equatorial Guinea ready as football fever catches on. P.62,63 ATHLETICS | Association hoping to get names behind doping scandal that has rocked the sport Jockeys Mungai, Muhindi eye home advantage BY BRIAN YONGA byonga@ke.nationmedia.com Kenyan jockeys will be count- ing on home advantage to ensure they emerge victorious in the International Jockey Challenge set for this Sunday at the Ngong Racecourse. Kenya will be represented at the four-nation event by Patrick Mungai and James Muhindi who replaced champion jockey Lesley Sercombe. Sercombe withdrew because of health reasons. The duo, who are training at the Ngong Racecourse are optimistic they can deliver a home win. Fair share of glory Both riders have had their fair share of glory moments in their racing careers as well as some of the more disappointing ones but represent Kenya’s best chances of victory in the international event which will be the highlight of the 110 years celebrations of horse racing in Kenya. Muhindi, 28, has ridden 90 win- CHRIS OMOLLO | NATION Kenyan runner Rita Jeptoo arrives at Riadha House, Athletics Kenya head- quarters in Nairobi for her doping hearing yesterday. Above: Claudio Berardelli, Rita Jeptoo’s coach arrives for the hearing. Top: Federico Rosa, Jeptoo’s manager walks to Riadha House. ners to date and will be aiming to extend that feat on Sunday noting that riding at home will be an added advantage to himself and Mungai. He said that the Challenge will enable him gauge himself with the continent’s best. Kenya ready to face Namibia BY RICHARD MWANGI rmwangi@ke.nationmedia.com Irfan Karim and Alex Obandi will lead Kenya’s batting attack tomorrow when they open their ICC World Cricket League Division Two Championship campaign against hosts Namibia in Windhoek. “We have to come on top in Na- mibia, we do not have a choice,” said Kenya’s former captain, Jimmy Kamande, who replaced the injured Dhiren Gondaria in the side, and was left behind when the bulk of the players flew to Namibia on Tuesday, yesterday said: Kamande, will join the rest of the team in Windhoek today. The other batsmen in the side are Gurdeep Singh, Narendra Patel, Collins Obuya and skipper Rakep Patel. TENNIS Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova will play in the final of the Sydney International after ending Tsvetana Pironkova’s incredible run at the tournament yesterday.